Latest news with #GenAssimiGoita
BBC News
3 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Mali gold refinery: Military ruler Gen Assimi Goïta hails construction as assertion of 'economic sovereignty'
Mali's military junta has started building the West African state's first-ever gold refinery in partnership with a Russian conglomerate, the Yadran Group. The project would embody Mali's assertion of its "economic sovereignty", and ensure the nation benefited from its mineral wealth, military leader Gen Assimi Goïta said. He has strengthened military and economic ties with Russia since seizing power in a coup in 2021, while reducing relations with former colonial power France and other Western reflects a broader trend in the region, with neighbouring Burkina Faso and Niger also pivoting towards Russia after the overthrow of civilian leaders. Western firms have since been facing a tough time - the latest example being Mali's decision to put a huge gold mine, run by Canadian giant Barrick, into administration, effectively bringing it under state control. On Monday, Gen Goïta - along with Yadran Group head Irek Salikhov - attended a ceremony for the construction of the refinery, which will have a 200-tonne capacity, in Senou, not far from the capital, would having a majority stake in the refinery, and Yadran Group a minority Salikhov hailed the plant as a "win-win" for both nations, saying the aim was to turn the refinery into "a regional centre for processing gold extracted not only in Mali, but also in neighbouring countries like Burkina Faso".No date has been announced for its completion, but Gen Goita said: "It's a long-awaited dream of the Malian people, and today it's becoming a reality." The plant would enable Mali to "refine all the gold mined on its soil, ending decades of crude export to foreign refineries", he is Africa's second-biggest producer of gold, but many of its people remain poor 65 years after independence. You may also be interested in: Why Burkina Faso's junta leader has captured hearts and minds around the worldHow a uranium mine became a pawn in the row between Niger and FranceWhy France faces so much anger in West Africa Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
Arab News
12-06-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
Mali's government adopts bill granting junta leader 5 more years in power
BAMAKO, Mali: Mali's Council of Ministers on Wednesday adopted a controversial bill granting the head of the military junta an additional five years in power. Gen. Assimi Goita has led the West African nation since orchestrating two coups in 2020 and 2021. The move follows the military regime's dissolution of political parties in May. According to the government's cabinet statement, the bill will lead to the 'revision of the Transition Charter, granting the Head of State a five-year renewable mandate starting in 2025.' It implements the recommendations of the national dialogue consultations organized by the military regime in April, which the political parties boycotted. The bill now awaits ratification by the National Transitional Council, the legislative body overseeing the transition. Earlier in May, Gen. Goita signed a decree dissolving political parties, a decision made against a backdrop of burgeoning opposition. It coincided with a surge in kidnappings of pro-democracy activists in the capital, Bamako, and just days after a demonstration by several hundred activists. Mali, a landlocked nation in the semiarid region of Sahel, has been embroiled in political instability that swept across West and Central Africa over the last decade. The nation has seen two military coups since 2020 as an insurgency by jihadi groups linked to Al-Qaeda and the Daesh group worsened. The junta had promised a return to civilian rule by March 2024, but later postponed elections. No date has been set yet for the presidential election.
Washington Post
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Washington Post
Mali's government adopts bill granting junta leader 5 more years in power
BAMAKO, Mali — Mali's Council of Ministers on Wednesday adopted a controversial bill granting the head of the military junta an additional five years in power. Gen. Assimi Goita has led the West African nation since orchestrating two coups in 2020 and 2021. The move follows the military regime's dissolution of political parties in May. According to the government's cabinet statement, the bill will lead to the 'revision of the Transition Charter, granting the Head of State a five-year renewable mandate starting in 2025.' It implements the recommendations of the national dialogue consultations organized by the military regime in April, which the political parties boycotted. The bill now awaits ratification by the National Transitional Council, the legislative body overseeing the transition. Earlier in May, Gen. Goita signed a decree dissolving political parties, a decision made against a backdrop of burgeoning opposition. It coincided with a surge in kidnappings of pro-democracy activists in the capital, Bamako, and just days after a demonstration by several hundred activists. Mali, a landlocked nation in the semiarid region of Sahel, has been embroiled in political instability that swept across West and Central Africa over the last decade. The nation has seen two military coups since 2020 as an insurgency by jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group worsened. The junta had promised a return to civilian rule by March 2024, but later postponed elections. No date has been set yet for the presidential election. ____ Follow AP's Africa coverage at:
Associated Press
11-06-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Mali's government adopts bill granting junta leader 5 more years in power
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — Mali's Council of Ministers on Wednesday adopted a controversial bill granting the head of the military junta an additional five years in power. Gen. Assimi Goita has led the West African nation since orchestrating two coups in 2020 and 2021. The move follows the military regime's dissolution of political parties in May. According to the government's cabinet statement, the bill will lead to the 'revision of the Transition Charter, granting the Head of State a five-year renewable mandate starting in 2025.' It implements the recommendations of the national dialogue consultations organized by the military regime in April, which the political parties boycotted. The bill now awaits ratification by the National Transitional Council, the legislative body overseeing the transition. Earlier in May, Gen. Goita signed a decree dissolving political parties, a decision made against a backdrop of burgeoning opposition. It coincided with a surge in kidnappings of pro-democracy activists in the capital, Bamako, and just days after a demonstration by several hundred activists. Mali, a landlocked nation in the semiarid region of Sahel, has been embroiled in political instability that swept across West and Central Africa over the last decade. The nation has seen two military coups since 2020 as an insurgency by jihadi groups linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group worsened. The junta had promised a return to civilian rule by March 2024, but later postponed elections. No date has been set yet for the presidential election. ____ Follow AP's Africa coverage at:
